Houseplant of the month: the Lily

Published on 1 March 2019

The Lily offers endless possibilities. With more than 100 kinds of lilies, there is not only a huge variety in shape, colour and motif, also in size and smell. Whether you are looking to decorate a quiet and serene corner within the house, or want to make an area notable, the Lily can do it all.

Origin of the Lily

The Lily can be spotted around the world. You can find them in the wild in Japan as well as Siberia, but also in India, close to the equator. In Europe you can mostly see them in the Pyrenees, the Alps, Greece, the Balkans, Caucasus and Poland. In American states, the Lily can also be found, though not in the southwest.

The meaning of lilies

If there is one flower that is known for its symbolism, it’s the Lily. Its most important meanings are:

Feminity: especially the shape, variety of colours and sweet smell make the Lily a great symbol of feminity, dating back from Ancient Egypt. In Greek and Roman times it was custom to give the bride a crown of lilies as it was thought to contribute to a pure and fruitful life.

Purity and virginity: in Christianity, white lilies stand for purity and virginity and are also known as Madonna Lilies. Besides that, lilies can often be spotted with as a religious symbol in combination with virgin Maria.

Transience: the serene and pure appearance make the lily also a beautiful flower in case of loss and grief. It is therefore that lilies are also often seen at funerals.

What to keep in mind

Do you like the sweet scent? Go for an Oriental Lily. If you don’t like the smell, or can’t handle it, the odourless Asian Lilies are a good alternative. Other things to keep in mind after purchasing Lilies.

Cut off the stems and use nutrition for cut flowers.

Lilies love light, though prefer not to be in bright sunlight.

Longer flowering can also be extended with 2 to 3 weeks by a cool position.

Remove wilted flowers.

Make sure the soil doesn’t dry out.

Beware of the Lily

The stamens can leave nasty stains. You can remove these with adhesive tape. You can also spray the stamens with hairspray for prevention. Additionally, you can cut them out as soon the flowers open, this doesn’t affect the lifespan of the Lily.

Do you have cats? All parts of the Lily – also the water in which you keep them – are toxic to cats. Drinking the water or licking the flowers, even the slightest bit, can result in severe, acute kidney failure. Therefore, we recommend not purchasing any lilies if you have a cat. Please don’t hesitate to turn to our garden centre staff for alternative ideas.